S[E]OUL Searching 20.23

Before the hectic school term starts, the daily 5.30am alarms return. I thought before the post for this trip is being added onto the backlog again like the many others. Here, on the eve of new year's eve, I shall try to document down the lovely memories before they started to fade off over the years. 

Five months later...... That's how busy life have been! Finally, the first post is up! 

Annyeong, beautiful Seoul! We decided to go S(e)oul searching for our year end trip. As it was our first visit, we decided to just explore just Seoul. 

We booked our flight as early as the first quarter of the year, fares were a lot cheaper. Before our trip, I had seen some friends who had travelled to Seoul before us and they alerted of the sudden cold snap, as low as 3 degree celcius. It was our first travelling in a cold season, to be honest, it was a love-hate relationship. 

Anyway, this trip was simply to eat, shop, sight-see and repeat. It was super cold indeed when we touched down around 9.30pm at Incheon International Airport. Hoodies up, gloves up and I lost one side of mine, boo! 

We stayed at Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro and booked two of Friends and Family Triple. A very basic room just to have a shelter for rest for the few nights as I foresee that we would not be back till night. From my point of view, no point getting a too expensive room. Nothing much to shout about for the facilities but I must say the location was very convenient to go around! I will go by the district we explored in this post, Myeongdong.

We could even walk to Gwangjang Market (광장시장속박물관) and it was lovely to spot a stream suddenly in the busy city and I thought how relaxing it was to be able to stroll along. 

This was where you could find the famous Netflix Knife-cut noodle lady. Her stall was prominent as there would likely be surrounded by a crowd or a long queue waiting to try her kalguksu.

We did not want to wait and headed to the stall opposite instead. The stall was selling kalguksu and huge, juicy mandu! We were literally there for three mornings before trying out different food to start our days. 

Even the seats were attached to a heater to warm us up while we had our meal. 

We saw a few stalls selling similar food, just go for the one that attracts you the most. 

Typical kind of all in one market, from live seafood, snacks, souvenirs to traditional hanboks. 

And from our hotel, it was just a mere 5 mins walk to Myeongdong Night Market and shopping district. Along our way, we would pass by this beautiful Myeongdong Cathedral. I am not a catholic but I was attracted to the architecture of the church and decided to take a mini tour around the vicinity. There were pretty lots to do if you do a google on it and a rich history behind it. 

It had a different charm by night, especially when all lights were lited. 

And for the coffee lovers, this is for you. An award-winning cafe - Coffee Libre ( 커피리브레)  was located within Myeongdong Cathedral Complex itself. I was googling for some nice coffee around the cathedral and the name of this cafe popped up. 

Just a simply and cozy cafe, enjoy a cup of good quality coffee, grab a piece of paper, doodle away and just relax and soak in those peaceful vibes. You can also go get a sniffle at the coffee beans displayed on the table and buy some back for yourself or your loved ones. 

Coffee Libre

74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opposite Myeongdong Cathedral, you would be able to spot this Butter shop. Love cute stuff that makes you happy, you have to go in. 

If you are missing Isaac Toast, Korea's number one toast brand, we went to Myeongdong Cathedral Branch which offered only take-out only. We ordered and ate the toast by the side and off we went to our next destination. Avoid breakfast and lunch rushes, go before the peak and you will be saved from long queues. 

Isaac Toast

17-1, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 

Operating hours: 8am- 8pm

Nearest station: Myeong-dong Station subway line 4, take a 3 mins walk.

The Night Market only operates at night, so in the day, shopping will be in the buildings along the stretch. From the start to the end, cross the road, and you will see the major departmental stores like Lotte Young, Lotte Department Store, Lotte Duty Free Store to name a few, it was literally a shopping heaven. 

Myeongdong Night Market was full of lively vibes in the night, with an endless stretch of food stalls. We were there almost every night! No doubts, food items were slightly more pricey as it was a tourist spot but I guaranteed you that you will enjoy savoring the local delights and treats as you walked down the street.

Vera loved the fresh fruit coated with sugar syrup. I had to close my eyes since we were on holidays and let her indulge in this sweet treat.  

The Moondrop cake which looked like a crystal ball. It was actually made of seaweed jelly. 

Vera loved the 'Traffic Lights' from the same stall too! The facial expression tells it all. 

Tornado Potato was also one of our favorite with a few flavors to choose from. It's about $5 for a stick, quite expensive for maybe half the size of a potato. But we wouldn't mind spending to indulge while on holiday! 

I have been trying to find the hotteok I love. Tried a few stalls and happened to chance upon one stall located along the same stretch as Myeong-dong Burning steak (if I did not remember wrongly) as the street adjacent to it had a stall selling too. 

We tried most of the food along the food street and this is another one we loved, Myeong-dong Burning Steak! 

We patronized this stall almost every night when we need to walk through the food street to get back to our hotel. Watch the chef in action here! This stall is right in front of Eider building (opposite Myeongdong Theatre) 

As we were randomly exploring the streets, the beautiful rose-shaped gelato cones caught our attention. 

Had to get one for a photo and it was surely refreshing! The cold weather did not stop us from enjoying the cold treat. 

Communal dining is so common in Korea and the practice seemed to be all adults has to order a main dish and by right Vera too. You cannot be ordering only 2 main dishes when there are 4 pax. Myeongdong Kyoja has a rich 58 years of history and is famous for the kulguksu noodles and dumplings. 

The kalguksu was ban-mian alike with an extremely soft and smooth texture. Look around your tables, the dumplings could be seen on all tables! 

Do get your order ready as soon as you sit down, the matured staff was more impatient, the moment we sat down, we were expected to give our orders. We asked for a little more time to look through the menu, the second time the same staff returned and walked off showing her displeasure when we said that we were still deciding on our orders. 

The amount of patrons who flocked there daily was pretty impressive. Delicious and generous portion at affordable price, it is no wonder that it could attract that massive number of people! 

Myeongdong Kyoja 

8 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, 

Seoul, South Korea

Wangbijip Myeongdong Main Store (王妃家 aka Imperial Princess House) was one of the highly recommended KBBQ in Myeongdong. I was googling about it and read it here and decided to go for it. It was hard, standing out in the cold to queue. When you are overseas and would do anything for nice food! Good quality meat and best of all, we did not walk out of the restaurant, smelling like a walking bbq skewer. 

Wangbijib 왕비집 王妃家

2F 26 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, 

63-6 Chungmuro-2ga, Jung-gu, 

Seoul, South Korea

And of course besides eating night away, Myeongdong is a shopping district, with the major departmental stores nearby too. The vibes in the day is a total contrast to the night. The streets will be transformed into a bustling food street! Most of the street stalls accepts cash, I did not encounter any that offers card payment though. 

I shall continue the rest in a few more posts. Hopefully, before I leave for my next trip. Thanks for reading, till then! 

LITTLE TOKIO - TEPPANYAKI X IZAYAKA (TAMPINES)

Little Tokio, a 30-seater Japanese teppanyaki and izakaya restaurant that has been open for over a year in the heart of Tampines, is set to elevate Mother’s Day celebrations in the heartlands from May 1st to May 19th, 2024. 

It was my first visit to this neighborhood and by the evening, the tables inside and out, was filled up gradually. My friend who was staying near, gave good feedback about the food too and it was one of her frequent takeaways for her family.

I indulged in a meticulously crafted 12-course Kaiseki set ($28.90 +) designed exclusively by Co-founder and Culinary Director Sherwin Sim. I am a very visual person when it comes to food, I love to try a bit of everything without feeling overwhelmed by the huge portion. So this Kaiseki set is perfect!

Each dish is a culinary masterpiece, carefully balancing taste, texture, and presentation. Inspired by the traditional Japanese kaiseki, the menu showcases an array of delights:

Fresh Sanriku Oyster with Ponzu Pickled Onion: A tantalising appetiser to awaken the palate, which represents Sakizuke (先附) meaning appetiser similar to the French amuse-bouche

Fresh Norwegian Salmon Sashimi with Lemon Wedge: Delicately sliced and artfully shaped like a rose to represent Mukōzuke (向付) meaning a sliced dish of sashimi

Yamasa Soy Sauce with Wasabi: The perfect accompaniment to enhance the flavor of the sashimi.

Refreshing Yuzu Cocktail: A specially curated cocktail to delight the senses of Mother as Kaiseki usually begins with a small glass of sake or alcohol but the Yuzu cocktail can be replaced by a mocktail.

Chicken Karaage with Shibazuke Mayonnaise: Crispy fried chicken served with a tangy purple pickled cucumber mayo

Tamago Mentai Yaki: Crab Stick on fluffy rolled Omelette with Mentaiko

Sake-infused Asari Miso Soup: A comforting broth with silken tofu and wakame to represent Futamono (蓋物) meaning a "dish with a lid", typically a soup.

Sanuki Udon with Naruto Maki: A light noodle dish served with a twist in place of Suimono (吸い物) meaning a soup, usually a clear broth with few accompaniments

3-in-1 Yakimono Skewer: Succulent pork belly wrapped with quail egg, asparagus, and golden mushroom to represent Takiawase (煮合) vegetables served with meat or Yakimono (焼物) meaning flame-grilled skewer rendition 

Yakimono Skewer of Hotate Glazed with Yakiniku Sauce: Tender scallops grilled to perfection to aptly represent Yakimono (焼物) meaning another flame-grilled specialty  

Spicy Ebi Fry with Little Tokio Special Sauce: Crispy prawn served with a flavourful sauce with Prik Bon (Thai chilli flakes)

Oven-baked Salmon with Mentaiko: Delicately baked salmon embellished with savoury Mentaiko

Hokkaido Yotsuba Fresh Milk Pudding: A delightful dessert with matcha crumble and raspberry coulis to represent Mizumono (水物) meaning a seasonal dessert which may be a fruit, confection, ice cream or cake

The sourish raspberry coulis blended in well with the pudding and the matcha crumble added a texture to the dessert. I loved it totally!

I wiped out every single dish and it was real satisfying and filling and not overeating. This is how every meal should be! Do not miss this limited time offering, I highly recommend it! 

This Mother’s Day, whisk your mum to the enchanting land of the rising sun, where she will be welcomed with the heartfelt greeting "Irasshaimase'' at Little Tokio. Immerse her in the local charm of Japanese izakaya-style dining within the quaint residential precinct.

An izakaya, derived from the characters 居酒屋, translates to "stay-drink-place" in English. It's a quintessential Japanese establishment, akin to a cosy bar where an array of alcoholic beverages is complemented by an assortment of affordable snacks and dishes. Here at Little Tokio, the culinary team offers the perfect harmony of Teppanyaki crowd-pleasers alongside Izakaya favourites, ensuring Mother experiences the best of both worlds.

Let Mother revel in the rich tapestry of izakaya culture, harking back to its origins in the Edo period (1603-1867). While traditionally serving as post-work taverns primarily frequented by men, izakayas have evolved into vibrant gathering spots where friends come together to dine, unwind, and create cherished memories. And on this special occasion, let's celebrate with Mother dearest!

ABOUT LITTLE TOKIO

Strategically located in Tampines, Little Tokio has been the neighbourhood’s culinary gem for over a year, captivating diners with its intimate ambience and authentic Japanese flavours. As a 30-seater teppanyaki and izakaya establishment, Little Tokio seamlessly blends traditional Japanese culinary artistry with contemporary flair. From sizzling teppanyaki delights to the cosy comfort of izakaya-style dining, each dish is a testament to the culinary team’s craftsmanship and dedication. Embark on a gastronomic journey like no other and indulge in our signature Yakimono skewers, starting from $1.90 each, with friends and loved ones in the heart of Tampines' vibrant culinary landscape.

Little Tokio 

Address: Blk 824 Tampines St 81

#01-22 

Singapore 520824

Opening Hours: 11.30am - 10.00pm (Mon to Sun)

Hotline: 69040866

IG: littletokiosg FB: Little Tokio

886 Bistro @Jalan Besar

Our last visit to Taiwan was about a decade ago, I am sure missing all the delicacies! And of course, we have no plans of visiting soon, I find comfort in the locally served Taiwanese food. Here's one located in town (if you know where the former Lavender Food Square was, 886 Bistro is just right across the road), walking distance from Boon Keng Station and Farrer Park Station. +886 is actually the international dialing code for Taiwan and I thought how unique it is, to name the bistro after the country. 

Heard from the staff that 886 Bistro was a covid baby and yes, it's a survivor!  A modern, simple and commodious bistro in blue and white, looks pretty family-friendly too if you have a pram with you and it is fully air-conditioned, you can dine in comfort.  

Here you can find comfort Taiwanese street food, commonly sought after Lu Rou Fan and Bubble Tea since Taiwan is also known as the Land of Bubble Tea. 

We ordered some of their signatures and highly recommended these dishes that we all loved:

Ah Bao Braised Pork Rice ($5.80) 

cooked using Premium Japanese Rice using high quality superior soy sauce. The melt-in-your-mouth pork belly was braised for more than 24 hours and only this was used, not even minced meat. The taste was well balanced, not salty at all. Toss it up with the garnished spring onions and sweet turnips. It's comforting like this, just like how. You can also top up with the add-on of quail eggs, pork floss or miso soup. 

Truffle Scallion Udon ($9.80) is similar to Truffle Chicken Rice, atop the ubon was moist and tender chicken strips. The aroma of the truffle was strong but not overwhelming. Toss the udon well and every mouthful was heavenly! 

Ah Bao Braised Stew ($7.80)

Braised in the same goodness as the braised pork, I find this dish pretty unique though I am not a fan of white radish. This dish contained a medley of ingredients. From Taiwanese glutinous rice cake,  something we did not try before and it had a pretty interesting texture, mushroom, quail egg, meatball and fish roe strip. (not that the ingredients are subjected to changes) 

Golden Shoestring Fries ($11.80) covered with braised minced pork instead of the usual minded beef sold elsewhere, 3 cheese, mayonnaise and spring onion. No wonder it made it as one of their signature dishes. Even my mum gave praise for it. 

Imperial Pork Chop, 2pcs ($8.80)

Recipe used was from founder of 886 Bistro's great grandparents, a family secret recipe for more than 3 decades! The boneless pork chop made it a breeze for the kids to sink their bites in. Fried to a crisp on the outside, succulent and tender on the inside, with a slightly chewy texture. Xav loved this the most, I saw that he almost cleaned up the entire serving until I had to asked him to leave me a piece to try. The spices on the pork chop enhanced the taste to something mildly sweet and aromatic. I am no fan of pork but I will not say no to more of it. 

Honey Glazed Crispy Chicken ($8.80)

Fried chicken thigh chop, glazed to perfection with honey and topped with sesame seeds. This dish made it to the kids' favorite as well. 

 

Under the beverage menu, it has a variety to choose from Yakult and Earl Grey beverage and Black Tea  with fruity flavors (peach, lychee, mango, passionfruit and lemon).  The youngster would probably fancy fruity sodas more! And since Taiwan is also known as the land of bubble tea, you can also opt to add in your favorite boba or jelly into the drinks. The refreshing and appetizing Sour plum lime juice ($4). 

No matter how full you are, there should always be room for desserts! They have really nice Sweet Potato Taro Ball, 5pcs ($5.80) in my opinion! 

The sweet potato taro balls were coated with sour plum mix, it was light yet appetizing to taste! For the yam lovers!! Go for this treat; Yam brûlée  ($5.20) 

and even the Yam Milk ($5.80) tasted delicious! Great alternative if you would like to go caffeine-free!

New gem discovered! This was my first and definitely not the last visit. Will be back! 

+886 Bistro 

407 Jalan Besar #01-01
Singapore 209012

Operating Hours: 

11.30am to 9pm daily, last order at 8.30pm. 

(3pm to 5pm break on weekdays)